Lateral hypothalamic proenkephalin neurons drive threat-induced overeating associated with a negative emotional state

Psychological stresses, such as the presence of a predator nearby, have the power to cause changes in hormones and physiology that affect hunger. On the other hand, little is known about how threats might affect the hypothalamic circuit processes connected to food. You et al. (2023) discovered that mice exposed to predator scent stimulus (PSS) exhibit sensitized responses to high-fat diet (HFD) eating when their lateral hypothalamic (LHPenk) neurons express proenkephalin (Penk). Conversely, silencing these neurons normalizes PSS-induced HFD overconsumption linked to a negative emotional state. The inhibition of neuronal and behavioral alterations resulting from exposure to PSS is contingent upon the downregulation of endogenous enkephalin peptides in the LH. Moreover, glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-containing LHPenk neurons’ sensitivity to HFD is enhanced by increased corticosterone following PSS, while PSS-induced maladaptive behavioral responses are suppressed by pharmacological suppression of GR in the LH. Thus, the authors conclude that a crucial element in the neuronal adaptation triggered by a danger that results in emotional overconsumption is the LHPenk neurons. [NPID: Overeating, emotional state, lateral hypothalamus, proenkephalin]

Year: 2023

Reference: You, IJ., Bae, Y., Beck, A.R. et al. Lateral hypothalamic proenkephalin neurons drive threat-induced overeating associated with a negative emotional state. Nat Commun 14, 6875 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-42623-6